Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-01
Lansing Letter.


quietly during the past week without
giving any part cular discomfort to
members or any one else. Probably
the most consplcuous part of the
business, andFhat atfording the most
fruitful tho, of conversation, was
the rpulAargc lobby. Ofcourse
no well ~ ed Legislature would
attempt to gcr along without lobby
of some sort. 1t is said the most
effective lobby of all is the one inside
of the bar When a member will
take fee as an attorney You can
look for effective work and be most
sure to see it. And the next best
thing to a member lobbyist is a prom
inent committee clerk. His oppor-
tunities are also much better than
those of member of the "third
house" Now | don't for a moment
presume that any of the members or
clerks of the Michigan legislature in
dulge in such questionable opera
tons, but have heard tell of its be-
ing done in other states.
Wednesday the legislature will adj
journ until next Wednesday, April
6, at 9:3O p. IN. The members desire
to 90 home to vote, and it is barely
possible some of them may have more
or less fence repairing to look after.
~
The "age of consent" bill has been
engaging a good deal of attention
the past few days, and the end is not
yet The discussions in the house
have called out large audiences daily,
the larger proportion being ladies.
There is difference of opinion be-
tween the house and senate in regard
to the age at which the protection of
the law in the matter of consent
should stop, the former favoring 1t,
the latter Is years. The joint com
mittee to whose consideration the bill
was consigned reported 10 years as a
compromise between the house and
senate, but neither body seems to be
in compromising mood, when the
bill reached the honse it was amend
ed and passed at II years. This ac-
ton is unsatisfactory to the promot-
ers of the measure, who realize that
if the bill passes fixing the age at IA
years it is destined TO remain there
for many years to come, and that
any efforts to change it at future scs-
sions will be futile. 1t is their hope
the senate will force the house to
make the age ID years or fail TO pass
the bill In the event of the failure
of the bill to pass at this time 1t
would give those who favor Is years
an opportunity TO cultivate a stronger
public sentiment in favor of their
views and insure their adoption two
years hence. 1t is my impression,
however, the bill will be disposed of
this session.
Some tip-top speeches were made
anent the bill, notably that of Repre-
sentative Diekema, Of Holland, who
made an eloquent plea for placing
the age at Is years. He believes
every possible protection should be
thrown around the morals of the
young, and that as matters are at
present there is too much laXity all
around. Mr.. Diekema is good
speaker, and when an earnest advo-
cate of sound morality, as on this oc-
casion, says things that are good for
men to hear and heed. He was loud
ly applauded on taking his seat.
Among the speeches which occa-
stoned unusual remark among the
ladies was that of Representative
Cass K. Harrington, of Pontiac, not
alone that he was on the wrong side
of the question, but because of his
remarkably plain way of giving ex-
preston TO ungallant things. He
carries some old-fashioned, unvarn-
ish ID English about with him for
emergencies, and when he wants 70
make a point INDUCES in no circum-
locution in getting there.
After the bill had passed the house
the vote being 80 ayes, nays o.
several members felt it incumbent
upon them TO explain their votes, and
some of the explanations were new,
amusing and peculiar; the queerest,
perhaps, being that of "Pat" Stuart,
of Wayne, who said: "Mr. Speaker,
with the understanding the senate
will raise the age OF consint' 90 rs
years l voted aye" Pat, like Samp.
son, brought down the house.